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They left their bikes by the side of the road and li lookedthe shore

Tully sat down by a decaying, rass was as thick as shag carpeting

Kate sat down beside her, so close their knees were alled sky The song of the river floated toward theh Just noith the world so still and silent, it was as if the breeze had drawn in its cool breath and left theht now had been just another bend in a river that flooded every autumn

"I wonder who named our street," Tully said "I havent seen any fireflies "

Kate shrugged "Over by the old bridge is Missouri Street Maybe some pioneer was homesick Or lost "

"Or ical street " Tully turned toward her "That could mean ere meant to be friends "

Kate shivered at the power of that "Before you ht it was just a road that went nowhere "

"Now its our road "

"We can go all kinds of places e grow up "

"Places dont matter," Tully said

Kate heard so in her friends voice, a sadness she didnt understand She turned sideways Tully was staring up at the sky

"Are you thinking about your mom?" Kate asked tentatively

"I try not to think about her " There was a long pause, then she dug into her pocket for a Virginia Sliarette and lit up

Kate was careful not to

"You want a drag?"